Sun chair



Aug.19.1969 NLSOUTHARD 3,461,878

SUN CHAIR Filed Nov. 18, 1965 INVENTOR Nancy L. Southord ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,461,878 SUN CHAIR Nancy L. Southard, 40 E. Brookside Drive, Larchmont, N.Y. 10538 Filed Nov. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 508,480 Int. Cl. A61h 33/ 06; A47c 1/035 US. Cl. 128372 12 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A sun chair comprising a framework having means for supporting an individual thereon, open spaces within the framework aligned with certain portions of a persons body, and reflector means connected to the framework and movable between a first position disposed within the openings of the framework and a second position in alignment with the openings but spaced therefrom for reflecting the suns rays against the exposed portions of the person on the chair.

The present invention relates to sun chairs, and more particularly to a sun chair constructed with adjustable sun reflectors for training the suns rays against the sides and back of an individual as the individual assumes a single position in the chair and is simultaneously receiving the direct rays of the sun on his or her upwardly disposed body surfaces.

In the past, sun chairs have been devised for permitting an individual seated in a chair to receive the suns rays against both his back and front. In construction, however, these chairs are quite cumbersome and require reflectors which are separate from the chair and capable of being attached thereto only by means of outwardly projecting mounting assemblies secured to the chair framework. Chairs of this type are also cumbersome in that the design and attachment of the reflectors thereto prevent folding of the chair into any reasonable compact state so that it may be readily carried about or neatly stored. Chairs of this construction also make it necessary for the individual to leave the chair in order to adjust the angular position of the various reflectors. This latter requirement makes it diflicult for the individual to readily obtain the desired position of adjustment of the reflectors since there is no occupant in the chair while the adjustments are being made. Usually, repeated Withdrawal from the chair and repeated adjustments are necessary to obtain a setting of the reflectors which will properly reflect the suns rays against the individual. Also, as the sun moves across the sky, the individual is required to pcriodically re-adjust the angular positions of the reflectors to maintain the reflected rays of the sun properly trained against him and this, in turn, requiresthat the individual again remove himself from the chair. Of course, an attendant may make the necessary adjustments of the reflectors while the individual remains seated in the chair; however, this arrangement is not always feasible nor very convenient.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the disadvantages of prior constructions have been eliminated and the chair constructed in such a manner whereby all associated reflectors form part of the chair itself so that when not in use, the chair functions as any ordinary chair capable of supporting an individual and of being collapsed into a compact orientation for carrying or storage. Also, the reflectors by being constructed as a part of the chair are readily accessible to the individual and may be easily adjusted as he or she lies or sits in the chair.

Generally, the sun chair of the present invention is of the chaise type having a horizontal base frame and a 3,461,878 Patented Aug. 19, 1969 "ice tiltable back frame. These frames are provided with means for supporting the individuals head, shoulders, base of his back, and feet, yet are otherwise of open construction having spaces in which sun reflectors are positioned. One of these sun reflectors is connected to the base frame of the chair between the support for the individuals feet and the support or seat for the base of the individuals back while a second reflector is connected to the tilting back frame of the chair. The reflector on the base frame of the chair is secured thereto by adjustable elements whereby it may be both lowered and angula'rly adjusted to a position spaced from the individuals legs and thus reflect the suns rays upwardly against the lower surfaces of the legs. The second reflector, on the other hand, is pivotably connected to the bottom of the titlting back frame for movement away from the individuals back so as to catch and reflect the suns rays thereagainst. This second reflector is provided with adjustable side or wing reflectors for reflecting the suns rays against the individuals upper sides and face; and adjustable connecting elements secured between these back and side reflectors and the tilting back of the chair are provided for holding these reflectors in the desired position of adjustment relative to the individual.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the reflectors are connected to the frame by means of the adjusting elements so that they may be neatly retracted Within the spaces provided in the chair framework and the chair then used as a normal chaise. In addition, a two piece removable table which can also be used as arm rests is connected to the framework of the chair for use when desired.

A more complete understanding of the present invention will be obtained from a reading of the following detailed description thereof with reference being made to the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the chair as seen from the front with the reflectors in operating position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the chair shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the back; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the chair with the reflectors in retracted supporting position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sun chair is generally comprised of a base frame 1 and a tilting back frame 2. The base frame 1 is rectangular in shape and defined by side rails 3 and cross rails 4. Legs 5 and wheels 6 are pivotally attached to the base frame 1 for supporting the chair base frame at a position spaced from the ground.

The tilting back frame of the chair is comprised of a top cross rail 7 and a pair of side rails 8 connected at their upper ends to the cross rail 7 and pivotally connected at their lower ends to the inside surface of the side rails 3 of the base frame as shown at 9. For permitting angular adjustment of the back frame, a downwardly extending U-shaped bracket 10 is provided. This bracket is pivotally attached to the inner surfaces of the side rails 8 of the back frame as shown at 11, and is provided with notches 12 along each leg thereof for selectively cooperating with pins 13 in the base frame 1. By selecting the proper set of notches, the angular position of the back frame relative to the base frame may be adjusted.

In constructing the chair as thus far described, the U-shaped bracket 10 is dimensioned to be received Within the back frame 2, and the back frame is, in turn, dimensioned to be received within the rearward portion of the base frame. Also, the legs 5 and wheels 6 are dimensioned to be received within the outline defined by the base frame. With this construction, the various members may be folded into each other to provide a very neat and compact unit having an overall dimension as determined by the size of the base frame.

For supporting an individual within the above-described framework of the chair, separate support members are provided. More particularly, the base frame 1 is provided adjacent the back frame 2 with a seat member 14, and adjacent the forward cross rail 4, with a foot rest 15. The seat member is fixed with respect to the base frame; however, the foot rest is disposed within slots 16 on the side rails of the base frame for adjustment longitudinally thereof so as to permit use of the chair by individuals of different heights.

In addition to the supports of the base frame, the back frame is provided with a shoulder support 17 at its upper end and with a lower back rest member 18 at the end thereof adjacent the base frame. This back rest member cooperates with the seat member 14 to completely support an individual at the base of the back when he is seated or reclining in the chair. Also, a padded head rest 19 is connected to the cross rail 7 by means of a support bar 20 slidably positioned within a bracket member 21 which is suitably secured to the rail 7. The head rest may be adjusted in a vertical direction and is adapted to be held in any desired position by means of the threaded locking key 22 threaded through the bracket and into engagement with the head rest support bar 20. Each of the supports 14, 15, 17 and 18 may be provided with appropriately shaped cushions, represented by the dotted lines 14, 17 and 18 in FIG. 1, which may be removably attached thereto by any suitable means known in the art; and together these supports are capable of supporting an individual reclining in the chair.

Cooperating with the open spaces provided in the base and back frames of the chair are ultraviolet ray sun reflectors 23, 24 and 25 for training the suns rays against the individuals legs, back and sides. The leg sun reflector 23 is attached to the base frame by means of the hooks 27 and adjustable connector elements 28 in the form of chains. From the drawings, it is evident that this reflector may be adjusted both vertically and angularly with respect to an individual positioned on the chair by engaging the appropriate link on the chains in the associated hooks and thus reflect the suns rays coming from above against the undersurface of the individuals legs as they span the space between the seat 14 and the foot rest 15.

For directing the suns rays against the individuals back, the back reflector 24, pivotally attached to the back rest at 29, is lowered to the desired extent by means of adjustable connecting members in the form of chains 30. These chains are connected at one end adjacent the upper edge of the reflector 24 and adapted to engage cooperating hooks 31 on the back frame for holding the reflector 24 in the desired position of adjustment. Pivotally connected to the back sun reflector at the sides thereof are side or wing reflectors 25. As with the back reflector, these side reflectors are connected to the back frame in an adjustable manner by chains 32 cooperating with hooks 33 attached to the back frame.

With the construction as described above, the individual when positioned in the chair may readily adjust any or all of the chains and thus properly set the associated reflectors to a position which will reflect the suns rays against his back, upper sides and face, as well as against the undersurface of his legs. There is no necessity for the individual to leave the chair to make these adjustments, and as the position of the sun changes, re-adjustment of the individual reflectors may be easily effected.

Each of the reflectors are made of suitable material capable of supporting the weight of an individual, and when desired, the reflectors may be retracted into the spaces provided in the framework of the chair by adjusting the chains, and the chair then used in the ordinary manner. Cushions are provided for covering the reflectors in their retracted position to complement the cushions on the support members.

In order to facilitate retraction of the reflectors, the

leg reflector 23 is dimensioned to be received inside the borders of the base frame; and the side reflectors are adapted to be folded onto the back reflector which is dimensioned to be received within the borders of the back frame. The chair with the reflectors in their retracted position is shown in FIG 3.

As a further aspect of the present invention, a removable two part table 34 is provided. The two halves of this table are removably supported in brackets 35 on the side rails of the base frame by means of the table support rods 36. The upper end of these rods are received in bearing members 37 connected to the undersurface of each table half so that each table half may be swung from the sides of the chair where they may serve as arm rests to a position abutting each other and overlying the individual reclining in the chair.

The above description of the present invention is made with reference to the presently preferred construction; however, it is to be understood that various changes can be made to this construction without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A sun chair comprising:

(a) a horizontal base frame;

(b) means for supporting said base frame at a position spaced from the ground;

(c) a foot rest adjacent one end of said base frame;

(d) a seat member positioned on said base frame at a point spaced from said foot rest to provide an open leg space therebetween;

(e) a back frame connected to said base frame adjacent said seat member and on the side thereof opposite said foot rest;

(f) back support means on said back frame for sup porting upper portions of an individual seated on said seat member;

(g) an ultra-violet ray leg reflector connected to the base frame of said chair; and

(h) means for selectively positioning said leg reflector in a first position in alignment with said open leg space and at a location spaced below said base frame and in a second position within the open leg space of said base frame.

2. A sun chair as defined in claim 1 wherein:

(a) said last-mentioned means includes a plurality of adjustable length connecting elements connecting said leg reflector to said base frame with each of said connecting elements being selectively adjustable to vary the height and angular position of the leg reflector relative to the base frame.

3. A sun chair as defined in claim 2 wherein:

(a) said foot rest is slidably positioned within said base frame for movement longitudinally thereof.

4. A sun chair as defined in claim 2 further including:

(a) means for selectively positioning said back frame at various angles of adjustment relative to said base frame.

5. A sun chair as defined in claim 4 wherein said back support means includes:

(a) a lower back support member connected to said back frame adjacent the seat member of said base frame;

(b) a shoulder support member connected to said back frame at a point spaced from said lower back support member to define an open back space therebetween; and

(c) an ultra-violet ray back reflector pivotally attached to said lower back support member and movable from a first position within said back space to a second position spaced from said back frame on the side thereof opposite said base frame.

6. A sun chair as defined in claim 5 further including:

(a) adjustable length connecting elements for connecting the back reflector to said back frame at various angles of adjustment relative to said back frame;

(b) ultra-violet ray side reflectors pivotally connected to the side edges of said back reflector; and

(0) adjustable length connecting elements for connecting each of said side reflectors to said back frame at various angles of adjustment relative to said back reflector.

7. A sun chair as defined in claim -6 wherein:

(a) said foot rest is slidably positioned within said base frame for movement longitudinally thereof,

8. A sun chair as defined in claim 7 wherein:

(a) said back support means includes an adjustable position head rest connecting to said back frame.

9. A sun chair as defined in claim 6 wherein:

(a) said side reflectors are pivotally attached to said back reflector for movement into superimposed relationship therewith;

(b) said back rest with said side reflectors in superimposed relationship is dimensioned to be received within the back space of said back frame;

(c) the connector elements associated with said back reflector include means for holding said back reflector and side reflectors within said back space;

(d) said leg reflector is dimensioned to be received within the leg space of said base frame; and

(e) the connector elements associated with said leg reflector include means for holding said leg reflector within said leg space.

10. A sun chair as defined in claim 9 further including:

(a) cushion members attached to said foot rest, seat member, lower back support member, and shoulder support member.

11. A sun chair as defined in claim 10 further including:

(a) a table member; and

(b) table support means connecting said table member to said base frame for movement from the side of said chair to a position overlying said base frame adjacent said seat member and spaced thereabove.

12. A sun chair as defined in claim 11 wherein:

(a) a table member is connected to each side of said base frame for movement from the sides thereof into abutting relationship overlying said base frame.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner KYLE L HOWELL, Assistant Examiner US. Cl X.R. 

